# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=123 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 124 --- ## [What's the mechanism by which fast-growing plants grow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-mechanism-by-which-fast-growing-plants-grow/990136)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2023, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-mechanism-by-which-fast-growing-plants-grow/990136 "2023-09-20T09:47:42Z")
I have an aloe plant (soap aloe, I think) that blooms a few times a year. When it blooms, brother, it blooms. In a frankly egregious display, a thick stem with a bulbous head ejects from the center of the plant at a rate… --- ## [Spousal Social Security question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spousal-social-security-question/990359)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spousal-social-security-question/990359 "2023-09-19T19:39:30Z")
I cannot seem to find an answer to my specific question online, so here we are. Herbert will delay taking SS until his Full Retirement Age, at which point he will receive $3,000/month. Herbert’s wife, Maude, has alread… --- ## [Keeping watch at sea. With binoculars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-watch-at-sea-with-binoculars/990077)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-watch-at-sea-with-binoculars/990077 "2023-09-19T13:18:24Z")
Below is a pic from a CBC news article of a Canadian sailor: Am I wrong in thinking that any ship or threat that’s visible through binoculars would also have been picked u… --- ## [When I die, can I split a retirement account?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-die-can-i-split-a-retirement-account/990325)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2023, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-die-can-i-split-a-retirement-account/990325 "2023-09-19T13:02:31Z")
Hopefully do not need answers fast. I have a Roth IRA that I prefer to leave to each heir as a start on their retirement plan should I die before retirement. Can I split up my Roth to multiple heirs? If so, how would … --- ## [Police and their weapons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-and-their-weapons/989998)
**Author:** [@baileygrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baileygrrrl)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2023, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-and-their-weapons/989998 "2023-09-19T04:56:15Z")
Really just curious based on a family discussion last evening. How common is it for a Police officer to go their whole career without ever discharging their weapon? --- ## [Countering or masking steady background noise in apartment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countering-or-masking-steady-background-noise-in-apartment/990274)
**Author:** [@hat\_trick\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hat_trick_1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countering-or-masking-steady-background-noise-in-apartment/990274 "2023-09-18T15:34:47Z")
Just moved into a new building. The steady HVAC sounds from the building are rather loud in my bedrooms. (I guess HVAC is what generates the noise, it never shuts off or changes but I’m not sure what else could be the so… --- ## [Will beneficiary question: What if the beneficiary has offed the decedent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-beneficiary-question-what-if-the-beneficiary-has-offed-the-decedent/990271)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2023, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-beneficiary-question-what-if-the-beneficiary-has-offed-the-decedent/990271 "2023-09-18T13:33:32Z")
Don’t need answer fast. This was inspired by a rerun of ‘Forensic Files.’ Guy with a fairly large estate thinks his son doesn’t deserve anything, so he has changed his will so that his caregiver will receive everything… --- ## [What is this smell coming from my drains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-smell-coming-from-my-drains/989900)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2023, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-smell-coming-from-my-drains/989900 "2023-09-18T00:35:10Z")
I have side by side sinks in my kitchen. When large amounts of water are draining out of one sink, a horrible sulfur like smell comes out of the drain for the other sink. What is causing this? Particles of rotting food? … --- ## [Is there an exact tally of battles and skirmishes fought during the American Revolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-exact-tally-of-battles-and-skirmishes-fought-during-the-american-revolution/990242)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-exact-tally-of-battles-and-skirmishes-fought-during-the-american-revolution/990242 "2023-09-17T15:58:13Z")
Has anyone come up with an exact tally of battles and skirmishes fought during the American Revolution? --- ## [What is the most secure way of taking ones life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-secure-way-of-taking-ones-life/990247)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-secure-way-of-taking-ones-life/990247 "2023-09-17T15:06:01Z")
This springs out of another topic that discussed someone shooting himself in the temple with a gun, and conclusion was that if you survive you would might end up without a face and without eyes. For the rest of your life… --- ## [Naming of military units](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-military-units/989868)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2023, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-military-units/989868 "2023-09-17T06:06:16Z")
My questions are generally naïve, because I don’t know the way to google them, so bear with me. With all the news about Ukraine and Russia, something confuses me. Let’s say, hypothetically, an army has “the 52nd armour… --- ## [Swapping phone numbers between two phones (Verizon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swapping-phone-numbers-between-two-phones-verizon/990211)
**Author:** [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swapping-phone-numbers-between-two-phones-verizon/990211 "2023-09-17T04:54:33Z")
Just checking if anyone has done this before and can offer the best pathway. My older daughter is getting her first phone. We added another line on our Verizon plan to get the Apple 14 phone with it. It comes with its ow… --- ## [Music recording: What H/W and S/W to capture and edit multichannel recording?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-recording-what-h-w-and-s-w-to-capture-and-edit-multichannel-recording/989958)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-recording-what-h-w-and-s-w-to-capture-and-edit-multichannel-recording/989958 "2023-09-16T18:13:01Z")
I use a Behringer Xenyx Q802USB to mix multiple inputs for recording, and the free Audacity to edit. The mixer just has stereo output, and Audacity appears to only be able to capture a stereo stream. What hardware and s… --- ## [Getting a train to do shave and a haircut](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-train-to-do-shave-and-a-haircut/577498)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-train-to-do-shave-and-a-haircut/577498 "2023-09-16T16:50:38Z")
I watch lots of videos on youtube where trains will do a shave and a haircut with someone filming it. Why do they do it? Is there a secret motion the cameraman does to get the conductor to do it? --- ## [Who Cuts Off Wedding Rings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977 "2023-09-16T13:44:32Z")
My hand is rather swollen with poison ivy, or perhaps I have just reached a new stage of obesity. In either case, my wedding band is stuck on my finger. It is driving me nuts. Who in the world cuts off wedding bands? Je… --- ## [Apple Pay: rejected payments, but the linked account works fine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-pay-rejected-payments-but-the-linked-account-works-fine/990167)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2023, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-pay-rejected-payments-but-the-linked-account-works-fine/990167 "2023-09-16T10:56:13Z")
I have an iPhone and I use Apple Pay a lot. Now and again, when I use Apple Pay the payment is rejected by the bank. There’s no issue with the bank account itself - funds are in there, and when I try again using the same… --- ## [Van Gogh stolen. Why? What can you do with it? \[Update - The painting has been recovered\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-gogh-stolen-why-what-can-you-do-with-it-update-the-painting-has-been-recovered/850672)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2023, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-gogh-stolen-why-what-can-you-do-with-it-update-the-painting-has-been-recovered/850672 "2023-09-16T05:38:29Z")
Hello, A Van Gogh waa stolen overnight from a museum in Amsterdam. I understand a painting by a Master is worth 10s, to 100s of millions, but what can you do with it? You can’t fence it like a TV, every law enforcem… --- ## [Gunshot wounds to the temple](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gunshot-wounds-to-the-temple/192742)
**Author:** [@revolutionarily](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/revolutionarily)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gunshot-wounds-to-the-temple/192742 "2023-09-16T03:08:45Z")
How long does someone live after shooting themselves in the temple with say, a .45acp? Have the police or military ever done any tests on it? What happens to the brain and body when that happens? --- ## [Libraries in non-English speaking countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libraries-in-non-english-speaking-countries/989957)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libraries-in-non-english-speaking-countries/989957 "2023-09-15T20:59:34Z")
If I were to go to a (large) library in a major city in a primarily non-English speaking country, would I expect to see a large (if not majority) number of English-language books? I would think that the relatively few (e… --- ## [How much would a 17th-century pirate ship be worth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-a-17th-century-pirate-ship-be-worth/990172)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-a-17th-century-pirate-ship-be-worth/990172 "2023-09-15T20:56:21Z")
Semi-spoilers for Goonies, I guess. I just finished listening to a podcast about the movie Goonies, and one of the hosts suggested that One-Eyed Willy’s ship might be worth more than the treasure the kids found inside. … --- ## [Glasses with lotus effect coating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glasses-with-lotus-effect-coating/987587)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glasses-with-lotus-effect-coating/987587 "2023-09-15T00:50:15Z")
I am buying new reading glasses and the optician highly recommends buying lenses with so called lotus effect coating. This makes them much easier to clean, or so he claims, though it is not for free: around additional 10… --- ## [How are weevils kept out of my food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-weevils-kept-out-of-my-food/989501)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-weevils-kept-out-of-my-food/989501 "2023-09-14T22:40:35Z")
I often buy some trail mix from a well-known Canadian bulk food store. We usually bring our own containers. A few weeks ago, after having eaten most of my latest stash, I noticed that there were weevils in there. So I gu… --- ## [Regional Differences in Laptop Specs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-differences-in-laptop-specs/990081)
**Author:** [@InnerCircle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InnerCircle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-differences-in-laptop-specs/990081 "2023-09-14T22:02:10Z")
Why do some laptop specifications, even within the same model, vary between different regions? For example, MSI sells its CreatorPro Z16P series with an i7 processor and 32 GB of memory in Canada, but with an i9 process… --- ## [Puzzle game: “There is only one solution” claim](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-game-there-is-only-one-solution-claim/990073)
**Author:** [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-game-there-is-only-one-solution-claim/990073 "2023-09-14T20:55:11Z")
I recently picked up this entertaining puzzle game - fitting 12 pieces into a 11x5 grid. The clearest picture is lower down the page, at Step 3 on the ‘How to play’ tab. My first question relates to the claim, “There is… --- ## [Why build downsloping driveways to below grade garages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-build-downsloping-driveways-to-below-grade-garages/978608)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-build-downsloping-driveways-to-below-grade-garages/978608 "2023-09-14T20:54:28Z")
When not necessitated by topography. Our neighborhood is all split-levels, ranches, and 2-stories built in the late 50s and early 60s. Ours is a split, with a level drive to a garage at grade level. (Actually, slightl… --- ## [Looking for a trauma literature review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-trauma-literature-review/990100)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-trauma-literature-review/990100 "2023-09-14T16:39:50Z")
No idea if anyone can help me with this, but I’m looking for a comprehensive review of the literature on interventions for PTSD as well as research-based evaluations of core concepts in emerging trauma therapy. This is … --- ## [3 drink minimum at a club?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-drink-minimum-at-a-club/989908)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-drink-minimum-at-a-club/989908 "2023-09-14T03:19:47Z")
I’m watching a movie and to get in a club the hostess says, “It’s a 3 drink minimum, baby”. I have never been to a club that required a minimum. Do you just pay the equivalent of 3 drinks and walk in or do they actually… --- ## [Oil Changes and Timing Issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-timing-issues/990071)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-timing-issues/990071 "2023-09-14T01:30:32Z")
My son does no maintenance on his car despite everyone telling him too. He went over a year without an oil change and the car had no oil in it when I checked it and I threw in over 5 quarts (out of 6) of 5w-30 synthoil.… --- ## [Is phelyphrine a scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356 "2023-09-14T01:14:35Z")
I tried some, having been a bit careless as to which sudafed I was buying, and it just gave me a headache. No decongestant value like you get with psuedphedrine at all. Now I look it up on the internet and it appears tha… --- ## [How does Reverse 911 work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-reverse-911-work/990059)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-reverse-911-work/990059 "2023-09-13T20:15:34Z")
In what has become a national news story escaped (now recaptured) murderer Danelo Calvalcante was on the loose for two weeks. There were news articles that ‘the authorities’ were using reverse 911 calls to a) tell peopl… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=122) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=124)